By Emmanuel Dung,  Jalingo
With the understanding that one of the primary challenges in developing economy include lack of good road network and urbanization across the states of the federation, the Taraba State Government under the leadership of Architect Darius Ishaku has committed millions of naira In constructing various roads across the state.
The massive construction and ongoing rehabilitations, if concluded, would not only add aesthetic values to the burgeoning landmass the state is endowed with but aid the growth of a viable and competitive economy for the state in the northeast region.
To achieve this, the present administration in the state has sprung into action by changing the narrative with the huge investments channeled to building new roads and opening up rural communities in achieving the desired results aimed at linking up the state to economic prosperity.

From various intercity roads in Jalingo, Ardo Kola, Wukari, Takum to major constructions of township roads in Kurmi, Yorro and Sarduna Local Governments, Governor Ishaku is leaving nothing untouched in his quest to make the whole state attractive to business investors. 

The Governor had at several gatherings promised to complete all ongoing massive roads project in the state before the end of his tenure.
Speaking on the projects, the Commissioner for Urban Development, Hon. Sa’ad  Saleh, explained that the roads remains a clear example of the Governor’s commitment to the development of the state.
The Commissioner said, “Road construction are key areas where the attention of the government are tilted towards and as you must have seen, the road networks in Jalingo with new constructed ones around Magami, Mile 6 and the road linking Jalingo-Kona are clear examples of our plans for the state and that is a pointer to the commitment of government of the day on infrastructural development and more especially, the road networks.
“The linkage of Yoro, Tsokundi which is ongoing and has reached some certain level nearing completion and many other projects like that are projects that would be given priorities to as they are included in the 2020 budget. So, the attention given to the road networks in the urban areas of the state is quite commendable and the plan of constructing new ones is still in place by the government.”
According to him, the governor is not resting on his ores  as he plans to embark on more projects as provided for in the 2020 budget.
“I can confirm to you that there is a proposal in place for a new urban settlements completely different from the ones in existence such that we would have a new urban settlements where all the infrastructural materials needed for the wellbeing of the people would be put in place such that things like the manufacturing industries, houses would be built and all basic amenities expected to be put in place have been proposed in the new settlement project.”
Speaking on the ongoing expansion of Wukari- Jalingo Highway, Sa’ad Saleh noted that the project would not only ease vehicular  movements on the highway but will also boost economic activities around Jalingo, the state capital
“The road is not only a trunk A road but it is a road that links the north-east to the southern part of the country. So, if this giant stride being put in place by the Governor is actualized, it would have a ripple effect on our economy. It would not only end at expansion of roads alone as decongestion would also be achieved because there is a proposal of pedestrian bridge along the expressway which would go a long way safeguarding the life of Tarabans.”

“Secondly, there is a proposal for a fly over bridge at Roadblock, which would as well decongest the vehicular movement on the expressway which I believed would not only be for its aesthetic value but decongestion would be achieved and definitely if these giant project is put in place, and concluded as proposed by the governor, it is my believe that  Jalingo as state capital would have the most beautiful entrance as far as the northeastern part of the country is concerned.” 
On his part, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Elisha Solomon, said some of the completed roads have been a blessing to the state as it has helped in boosting economic activities.

“Our GDP as a state is growing steadily and we have a stable economy with the massive infrastructural projects ongoing in the state which has aided ease of doing business. 
As we all know that Taraba is the nature’s gift to the nation while Kurmi is the food basket of the state and if the Kurmi road is completed with Kurmi having abundant natural resources, businesses in that axis will thrive with good networks of roads linking the farm produce from the area to other parts of the state. Once the road is completed and ready for use it would help the economy of the state and contribute to the development of the country at large ” He said.
Solomon noted that the ongoing construction of Mararaba -Baisa road is very strategic to the kick off of the Mambilla Hydro Power Project, because the road will be the connecting point to the project site
“The efforts of Governor Ishaku on building the roads are futuristic, it shows he has a mission to rescue Taraba from poverty. Kurmi has a lot of potentials in terms of Agriculture and Natural resources which are yet to be tapped because of bad road network, but with the serious work going  on that road there is hope that those of us living in that area will be empowered.”

“You see we have the best of Palm Oil in the country but traders are not coming to buy them because it will take more than three days to transport your items from the Villages to Mararaba before you now take it to your destination. Even Bananas , we have them here but our people could not take advantage of them the business due to bad road network, it take days before the Bananas get to the city and many traders have lost fortunes to damages and delay caused by bad road, even to a large extent with the ongoing construction the road is now very motorable and you can see how business activities is taking shape in the area.”       
Meanwhile, many residents of the areas where construction of roads are ongoing have lauded the Governor for his foresight and developmental stride in the state.
A cross section of residence in Takum local government area of the state who spoke on the ongoing road projects heave sense of relief and described the Governor as a leader after the heart of the masses.
On his part, the Branch chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers in Takum, Ahaji Bello Sule, who could not hide his excitement explained that the economic importance of the road cannot be over emphasized.
According to him, members of the union depends on the road for efficient day-to-day activities as their major transaction is done by plying various roads in the state.
He said “God brought to us a governor that is after the yearning of the people. If you take a visit, you can see that the chanchanji bridge has been completed and the work is on progress.
“We in the NURTW are with  Governor Ishaku and so we are pleading that government should ensure that the work is completed so that we will be at ease doing our business.
Another resident of Takum, Mr Believe Samari, who is a commercial driver commended the company handling the project for the progress recorded so far and enjoined government to give the project needed attention so as to deliver it within the specify time.
“The ongoing construction has brought succor to the people as we are now plying the road with ease and very important aspect of it is the fact that there is relative peace also on the road.
Other people who spoke on the project equally applauded the governor for such a laudable stride and reiterated their resolve towards supporting him.
When contacted, the Chairman, Caretaker committee of Takum Shiban Tikari, equally thanked the governor for awarding the road project while describing him as a real father of the state.
He said, “Governor Ishaku is indeed a leader with the interest of his people at heart and you can see for yourself the speed at which the man is working. The ongoing road construction is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to our people in terms of needed development because a lot of people are using the road and it is strategic to economic growth of the state.”
Recall that the governor had in 2016 released the sum of N300, 000, 000 for PW Nigeria Limited to remobilize its workers back to site on Bali-Serti-Gembu road.
That created immense value to the state in terms of boosting economic activities within as the road remained the gateway to the famous Gashaka Gumti National Park which is the largest games reserve in the whole of West Africa.
Also, the rehabilitation of 6.5-kilometer Takum Township roads by TARCMA was done to complement the new bridges built by General T.Y Danjuma (rtd). In his drive, Ishaku ensured the construction of Hamamaruwa way from road block to the Barde way roundabout; started and completed the Magami road and completed the double carriage market road started by his predecessor.
The Governors other projects includes:  Jalingo – Kona – Lau road; Takum:  6.5 kilometre Takum, Katsina-Ala road, the Abuja 2.2 kilometre; Takum-Donga Gawa Road(15Km); Bali-Gembu-Serti road, and Jalingo -Kona Road Bridge.
However, to keen political watchers, the ongoing massive construction of rehabilitation of roads in the state is not suprising,  as the Governor had during his electioneering campaign promised to complete all ongoing projects before the end of his tenure.